New boss Moyes has stressed that the Old Trafford star will not be sold this summer but could be off-loaded next year if he does not regain his best form. Moyes – who has told Rooney that no one “is bigger than the club” – has been working hard to smooth over the problems caused by the player’s bitter fall-out with former gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Overall, my thought on Wayne is that if for any reason we had an injury to Robin van Persie we are going to need him and I want as many options as possible.

“It’s going to be a time to see how I work with him. Wayne, in a way, fits that as well. We need to see how it works. Maybe in a year’s time we might have to look at something else.”

United’s new chief executive Ed Woodward says there are no plans to talk to Rooney about a fresh deal, with the champions seemingly prepared to let his contract run down to its final year before deciding on his future.

Whose slide are you on? Van Persie is the main man at Old Trafford, with Rooney as back-up (Photo: Matthew Peters)

Woodward said: “Our No.1 priority right now is to try to develop our transfer plans in terms of players in – not those going out, or talking about new contracts.

“On Wayne Rooney it’s quite simple – he’s not for sale. That won’t change even if anyone comes in for him because he has two years left on his contract.

“I’m not surprised it’s being reported that clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal want him because he’s a top player. But he’s not for sale and we won’t be selling him.

“He’s a brilliant player who is 52 goals away from being the club’s top goalscorer, beating one of the biggest legends in the game in Bobby Charlton.”

With the Rooney saga threatening to overshadow United’s pre-season tour, Moyes warned that no player should ever think he is bigger than the club.

“Manchester United isn’t about Wayne Rooney. Manchester United is about the team, the club,” Moyes insisted.

“We are talking about him now, and rightly so, but I won’t allow Wayne Rooney to become more important than the football club.”